Fountain cleaning device



' June 11, 1940.

J. A. WISNER 2,204,200

FOUNTAIN CLEANING DEVICE Original Filed Nov. 27, 1935 ggggg Patented June ll, 1940 UNITED STATES John A. Wisner, Baltimore, Md.

Original applicationNovember 27, 1935, Serial No.v 51,929. Divided and this application August 5, 1937, Serial No. 157,601

. 4v Claims.

The present invention relates to an improved fountain cleaning device primarily intended to use a chemical solution for loosening grease and dirt from the finished surfaces of walls, woodwork and the like, whereby such grease and dirt may be subsequently readily wiped from such surfaces. i

The presentapplication is a division of my copending application, Ser. No. 51,929, led Nov. 27, 1935, which has matured into Patent No. 2,110,188, and is directed to the reservoir with itsliquid discharging means and the assembly of said reservoir and said means. Y d A further object of the invention is to provide a cleaning device of the above kind which is simple and durable in construction and otherwise well adapted for the service required of it.

Still further objects ofthe invention relate to certain novel and improved form, arrangement and combination of parts hereinafter described, shown in the accompanying drawing, and claimed.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is va certain longitudinal section of a fountain cleaning device embodying the present invention; and

Figure 2 is a transverse section thereof taken on the plane of line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Referring more in detail to the drawing, :the 30 present cleaning device preferablyy includes an applicator in the nature of a sponge and preferably formed of close grained sponge rubber.

This applicator preferably comprises a relatively thick main body portion 5affording the working faces of the applicator, and supplementary layers 6 and 'I of sponge rubber secured together and upon the main body portion 5, as described in my above-mentioned copending application.

The present cleaning device further embodies a head or carrier for the applicator including a plate-like back member II) provided with a central longitudinal upstanding rib II.

The head of the cleaning device further includes a receptacle or reservoir I4 for the chemical cleaning solution, which receptacle or reservoir is preferably in the nature of a metal can having a filler neck I5 at one end closed by a removable cap or other closure I6. This reservoir is adapted to provide a handle for the device when in use and is laid on one side in a horizontal position so as to rest centrally upon the top of the rib I I of back member IIJ and to be secured in this position. For the latter purpose, a scouring band I1 of sheet metal embraces the body of the reservoir I4 and has downturned end flanges I8 flatly engaging the sides of the rib IIi and bolted to the latter as at I9. The receptacle I4 preferably has outwardly directed beadsi 20 and 2I at the ends of the body thereof between which the securing band I'I snugly engages or vfits so that said reservoir is effectively held against endwis'e displacement relative to the rib II.`

Manually operable means is provided for deliv-l ering small quantities of the chemical cleaning 23 may extend transversely entirely through thel rib I I, the pump 22 being retained therein by the flanges I8 of the securing band I'l. The air-pump 22 has an air discharge pipe 24 at one end that extends through the adjacent side wall of reservvoir I4 and terminates within the latter at a point near the end of said reservoir where the' filler neck I5 is provided.. A' discharge pipe 25- is also located in the reservoir I4 with its intake end disposed adjacent the normal bottom end of reservoir I4 or the end of the latter opposite that PATENT OFFICE.

provided with the filler neck I5. This discharge pipe 25 extends outwardly and downwardly through the side of reservoir I4 which is lowermost inFFigure 51' and snugly projects into the adjacent .end of a flexible rubbertube 26 .whose upper end is fitted and secured within a vertical passage 2'I provided through the back member I0 and its rib II near one end of the latter. The lower end of tube 21 extends downwardly through a vertical opening 28 in the main bottom portion 5 of the applicator and terminates at its lower end substantially fiush with the bottom working face of said main body portion 5.

In view of the above description, it will be seen that the pump 22 may be operated to force air under pressure into the upper portion of said reservoir I4 above thesurface of the chemical cleaning solution contained within said reservoir I4. As the pump 22 is-operated, a small quantity of the chemical cleaning solution will be ejected at each operation of the pump through the discharge pipe 25 and feed tube 21, the" discharged solution being delivered to the bottom working surface of the applicator. By grasping the reservoir I4 in one hand, the cleaning device may be reciprocated over the surface to be cleaned, the chemical cleaning solution supplied to the working surface of the applicator acting to effectively loosen dirt and grease from such surface so that it may subsequently be readily wiped from the latter.

To facilitate manual actuation of the pump 22, I preferably provide a plunger 29 movable transversely through one of the flanges I8 of the clamping band IT and at one side of said pump 22. The plunger 29 preferably has a head 30 on its inner end arranged to engage the adjacent side of pump 22, and the outer end of plunger 29 preferably has a head or nger piece 3| to facilitate actuation thereof. Obviously, by simply pressing inwardly on the plunger 29, the bulb of the pump 22 will be partially collapsed so as to force the air therefrom through the pipe 24 into the reservoir I4. As soon as the plunger 29 is released, the bulb of pump 22 Vwill automatically return to normal expanded position for taking in a new charge of air through a valve (not shown) as is common with pumps of this type. The plunger 29 may be properly guided by a slide bearing 32 carried by the adjacent ange I8 of clamping band l1.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that the present cleaning device is comparatively simple and durable and may be eili-l ciently employed for the intended purpose. 'Ihe parts may be economically made and assembled as well as readily taken apart for renewal or repair of parts.

What I claim as new is:

1. In a cleaning device, a rigid plate-like back member having a central upwardly projecting longitudinal rib, a handle-forming reservoir for a chemical cleaning solution secured upon Said rib, manually operable means for discharging limited quantities of the cleaning solution from said reservoir, the upstanding rib of the back f member having a recess in the top thereof, said cleaning solution discharging means including an air pressure pump of the bulb type arranged within said recess and having an air discharge pipe extending into said reservoir whereby the c1eaning solution in the latter 'may be placed under pressure, a discharge pipe communicaing with the interior of the reservoir and projecting downwardly therefrom, and the back member and its rib having a, passage receiving the projecting portion of said discharge pipe.

longitudinal rib, a handle-forming reservoir for a chemical cleaning solution secured upon said rib, manually operable means for discharging limited quantities of the cleaning solution from said reservoir, said reservoir comprising a can having a filling opening and provided with outstanding beads at opposite ends thereof, and the means for securing the reservoir upon the rib comprising a clamping band embracing the reservoir between said beads and having depending ilanges secured to and against opposite sides of said rib of the back member.

3. In a cleaning device, a rigid plate-like back member having a central upwardly projecting longitudinal rib, a handle-forming reservoir for a chemical cleaning solution secured upon said rib, manually operable means for discharging limited quantities of the cleaning solution from said reservoir, said reservoir comprising a can having a lling opening and provided with outstanding beads at opposite ends thereof, the ends of said rib being located between said beads whlereby there will be no rectilinear relative Amovement in one direction between the reservoir and the rib, the means for securing the reservoir upon the rib comprising a clamping band embracing the reservoir between said beads and having depending flanges secured to and against opposite sides of said rib of the back member, the means for discharging the cleaning solution from the reservoir comprising an air pump of the bulb type, the rib of the back member having a recess within which said air pump is arranged, and a manually operable plunger for collapsing said air pump mounted in a flange of the clamping band for sliding movement transverselyv of said rib of the back member and with its inner end engaged with one side of said air pump.

4. A cleaning device comprising a rigid platelike back member, an upwardly projecting longitudinally extending rib, a handle-forming fluid reservoir secured upon said rib, depending beads in parallel planes on said reservoir, each bead adapted to engage a complementary edge of said rib whereby the bead and edge will limit relative movement ofthe reservoir and the rib, a clamping band embracing the reservoir between said beads and having depending flanges secured to and against opposite sides of said rib of the back member.

JOHN A. WISNER. 

